Swimming float whereon the distal part of an arm of a user is intended to be fixed

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a swimming float presenting an upper wall whereon the distal part of an arm of a user is intended to be fixed and a lower propelling wing, the float being equipped with at least one fixing device comprising at least one strap which is arranged to be able to support the distal part on said upper wall, the fixing device having at least one loop and an adjusting element, each one connected to the upper wall being spaced out transversally on both sides of the upper wall, the strap being joined sliding into the loop while presenting a free end which is arranged to be able to be bound in the adjusting element by adjusting the size between the strap and the upper wall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the US national phase of International PatentApplication No. PCT/FR2015/052686, filed Oct. 6, 2015, which applicationclaims priority to French Application No. 1459566, filed Oct. 6, 2014.The priority application, FR 1459566, is hereby incorporated byreference.

The invention concerns a swimming float presenting a lower propellingwing and an upper wall, whereon the distal part of an arm of a user isintended to be fixed.

When learning to swim, or when perfecting one's swimming, it is commonto use a pair of swimming floats, which allow the propulsive area to beincreased, in order to improve the feelings of sliding on water andbeing able to correct the movement and/or specifically building themuscles of the upper limbs in the water.

Such floats are presented in several shapes and sizes according to thedesired effect, while extending under a distal part of the arm of theuser, in particular only under the hand and/or under the forearm of theuser, with the propulsive area which is higher than that of said distalpart.

To ensure the positioning of the floats during swimming, these aregenerally equipped with one or several straps, arranged to be able toreversibly hold the distal part of the arm against the upper wall ofsaid float. For example, from document EP-0 844 901, a palmar float isknown, that is fixed under the hand of the user by means ofinterchangeable elastic connections which are arranged to surround in anadjustable manner respectively the fingers and the wrist joint of theuser.

In particular, each elastic connection comprises two free ends, whichare respectively bound in an orifice crossing said float to form anupper surrounding section, each free end then being inserted into anadjacent orifice to allow said connection to be held relating to thefloat.

However, the assembly of these connections can be cumbersome, requiringan adjusted insertion of said connections into the orifices, theimparted adjustment, moreover, relatively not being very reliable asregards the risks of modification, even the loss of connections whenusing the floats.

Also, from document U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,011, a swimming float is known,that comprises two straps to hold the forearm, which are each assembledin two lateral slots, in such a way to surround and fit tightly aroundthe forearm above said float.

However, this holding solution is not entirely satisfactory, in that thestraps apply a tightening all around the forearm, but which does notensure a support effort of the distal part on the float. The result ofthis, is a less effective use of the float, in particular for correctingthe swimming technique, which requires a correct holding and contactposition of the distal part on said float.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by offering a swimming floatequipped with at least one device for fixing the distal part of the armof the user, said device allowing to adjust the holding of the distalpart on said float, in order to optimise the propulsion and thecorrection of the swimming movement, and this while being able to befixed and removed easily.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a swimming float presenting anupper wall whereon the distal part of an arm of a user is intended to befixed and a lower propelling wing, said float being equipped with atleast one fixing device, comprising at least one strap which is arrangedto be able to support said distal part on said upper wall, said fixingdevice comprising at least one loop and one adjusting element, each oneconnected to the upper wall, while being transversally spaced out onboth sides of said upper wall, said strap being joined by sliding intosaid loop while presenting a free end which is arranged to be able to bebound into said adjusting element by adjusting the size between saidstrap and said upper wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will appear in thedescription which follows, made in reference to the appended figures,wherein:

FIG. 1a is a profile view of a swimming float according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1b is a top view of the swimming float of FIG. 1 a;

FIG. 2a is a profile view of a swimming float according to a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2b is a top view of the swimming float of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 is a representation of a device for fixing a swimming floataccording to an embodiment of the invention, said device comprising, inparticular, a strap equipped with an adjusting buckle; and

FIG. 4 is a detailed representation of the fixing device of FIG. 3,showing the assembly of an end of the strap in the adjusting buckle andthe binding of said adjusting buckle into a loop of a second strap,equipped with a stopper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In relation to these figures, below is described, a swimming floatgenerally used in pairs, each one being supported by the arm of a userin view of improving the swimming technique and/or building the musclesof said arms. In particular, the float is arranged to extend under adistal part of the arm, namely the forearm and/or the hand of the user,leaving the elbow joint free to allow a correct swimming movement.

The float comprises an upper wall 1 whereon the distal part of the armis intended to be fixed, said wall being able to present a shape that isflat or complementary to said distal part to optimise the ergonomics.Favourably, the upper wall 1 is arranged to support equally the distalpart of the left arm or the right arm of the user.

The float comprises a lower propelling wing 2 which is arranged toimprove the thrust in the water and allow an optimal sliding feeling. Inparticular, the propelling wing 2 extends to at least under the upperwall 1 while presenting larger sizes to that of the distal part fixed onsaid wall to increase its propulsive area, said propelling wing beingable additionally to present an ergonomic form favouring swimmingstability.

The float is preferably stiff for a better support grip and is made fromone single component, for example by injection moulding one or severalthermoplastic materials such as polypropylene or an elastomeric material(SEBS).

In the embodiments represented, the float presents sizes arranged toextend under the hand and the forearm of the user, by continuouslycomprising two front 3 and rear 4 holding platforms, respectively ofsaid hand and said forearm.

In relation to FIGS. 1a and 2a , the float comprises a transitionsection 5 connecting the two platforms 3, 4, said transition sectionbeing bent relating to said platforms in order to position the hand andthe forearm of the user in a predetermined alignment and angle for amore effective swimming movement.

In particular, the upper wall 1 presents a support 6 formed on the frontplatform 3 which is arranged to hold the palm of the hand of the user bysupporting it, in particular by being curved to mould said hand andoptimise comfort in use.

A second support 7 of the upper wall 1 is formed on the rear platform 4,the forearm of the user being intended to be supported on said secondsupport. The front 6 and rear 7 supports are connected by a bent section8 of the transition section 5, said bent section being arranged tosupport, in particular, the wrist joint of the user.

The propelling wing 2 presents two surfaces 9, 10 formed respectivelyunder a platform 3, 4 in particular by respectively extending under thefront 6 and rear 7 supports. In particular, the platforms 3, 4 eachpresent a symmetry following a central axis whereon a part of the front6 and rear 7 supports extend, in order to particularly favour an alignedpositioning of the hand relating to the forearm.

In relation to the FIGS. 1a, 1b , a first embodiment is described,wherein the float presents a shape with a widened rear platform 4 and afront platform 3 of a lesser width. In particular, the float presentstwo lateral extensions 11 a, 11 b which extend longitudinally on bothsides of the rear support 7, the rear surface 10 of the propelling wing2 also extending under said extensions.

The propelling wing 2 thus presents a rear surface 10 of a propulsivesize larger than that of the front surface 9, which allows the lever armand the thrust effort in the water to be decreased during swimmingmovements of arms.

Favourably, extensions 11 a, 11 b are each tilted towards the bottom,relatively to the rear support 7, the rear surface 10 of the propellingwing 2 presenting a slightly concave shape to favour the propulsiveeffort and improve the entry of the distal part into the water.

In relation to the FIGS. 2, a second embodiment is described, whereinthe float presents a rectangular shape. The propelling wing 2 thuspresents a substantially constant width over its two surfaces 9, 10allowing a uniform application of the propulsive force under the handand the forearm of the user.

However, the invention is not limited to these two embodiments of thefloat, in particular, relating to its propulsive sizes and its shape,said float being able to, in particular, extend only under the hand orthe forearm of the user depending on the desired effect.

To allow the distal part to be held on the upper wall 1, it is plannedto equip the float with at least one fixing device, said devicecomprising at least one strap 12 assembled in said float and arranged tobe able to support said distal part on said upper wall.

To do this, the fixing device comprises at least one loop 13, whereinthe strap 12 is joined sliding and an adjusting element 14, wherein afree end 12 a of said strap is assembled, said loop and said elementbeing connected to the upper wall 1 by being transversally spaced out onboth sides of said upper wall.

In particular, the free end 12 a of the strap 12 is arranged to be ableto be bound into the adjusting element 14 by adjusting the size betweensaid strap and the upper wall 1, allowing, whoever the user is, adequatesupport of the distal part on said upper wall. Such support allows anefficient use of the float to be ensured, with a hold in contact and inposition of the distal part on the upper wall 1, allowing optimalfeelings and grips of support in the water.

The strap 12 can be presented in the form of a resistant textile strip,for example, with a nylon base. As a variant, the strap 12 can be madefrom an elastic material and/or present means of extension, allowing acertain freedom of movement of the distal part of the user. Theadjusting element 14 can have a plastic or metal material base.

At least one loop 13 can comprise a slot 15 formed through the float,the strap 12 assembled in said slot, thus presenting a sectionpositioned on the side of the upper wall 1 and a section positionedfacing the propelling wing 2, the length of said upper strap sectionbeing adjusted to modulate the support effort. As a variant, at leastone loop 13 can be formed into a loop connected on the upper wall 1.

The fixing device can comprise one single strap 12 assembled in a loop13 and an adjusting element 14 to ensure the support of the distal parton the float.

The fixing device can thus comprise two slots 15, wherein the strap 12is assembled sliding while presenting a central section positioned underthe propelling wing 2 and two free ends positioned on the side of theupper wall 1. One of the free ends of the strap 12 is equipped with theadjusting element 14, wherein the opposite free end is bound, said strapthus surrounding the distal part of the arm and the float, whilesupporting one against the other in an adjustable way.

In particular, the adjusting element 14 can be fixed to the free end ofthe strap 12, for example by overmoulding or by assembly in a sheathformed on said free end. As a variant, the adjusting element 14 can beembedded in the upper wall 1, for example by overmoulding.

In the embodiment represented in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adjusting element 14is in the form of a buckle, the fixing device comprising a second strap16 assembled sliding in a second loop 13, the adjusting buckle 14 beingjoined to said second strap.

In relation to the FIG. 3, the device comprises two straps 12, 16assembled respectively in a slot 15 of the float, said slots extendingaxially and parallel on the upper wall 1. The second strap 16 forms aloop 17, wherein the adjusting buckle 14 is bound, the first strap 12presenting a free end 12 a assembled sliding in said adjusting buckle,in order to allow, by traction of said free end, the adjustment of thelength of the section of said first strap positioned between the axialslot 15 and said adjusting buckle.

In particular, the strap 12 and the loop 17 are assembled sliding into aloop 13, while respectively presenting a free end 12 b and two ends 16a, 16 b, which are fixed reversibly in said loop at the end of thesliding part. This reversible fixing allows the holding of the supportto be ensured when using the float while allowing the withdrawal of eachfree end 12 b, 16 a, 16 b when not being used, in order to be able toremove the straps 12, 16 by sliding, particularly in view of theirreplacement, for example, in the event of damage.

For this purpose, at least one strap 12, 16 presents an end 12 b, 16 a,16 b equipped with a stopper 18 which is arranged to form a stop for thesliding of said strap into the loop 13. The stopper 18 can be onecomponent fixed onto the strap 12, 16, for example by overmoulding aplastic material. As a variant, the strap 16 can present two ends,whereon a stopper 18 and an adjusting element 14 are respectivelyovermoulded.

In the embodiment represented, each one of the two straps 12, 16 presenta free end 12 b, 16 a, 16 b assembled under a loop 13 by being equippedwith a stopper 18, bound into an abutment in said loop at the end of theadjustment.

In particular, each stopper 18 presents a shape complementary to that ofthe loop 13 to be bound in the abutment in said loop and to bereversibly fixed in said loop when using the float, ensuring the straps12, 16 are tensioned on the distal part and the holding of the support.

In relation to FIG. 4, the loop 17 of the strap 16 is closed up on itstwo ends 16 a, 16 b by the intermediary of the stopper 18, said stopperbeing able to be overmoulded around said ends to join them together.

For particularly aesthetic reasons, each stopper 18 is fullyaccommodated in the propelling wing 2, in such a way that said stopperis not extended beyond the propulsive area of said propelling wing. Inrelation to the FIGS. 3 and 4, the stoppers 18 can each present a partslotted into the corresponding axial slot 15, the remaining part of saidstoppers being positioned, for example, in an imprint of the propellingwing 2.

In the event where a fixing device comprising one single strap 12,equipped with an adjusting element 14, the stopper 18 can be formed bysaid adjusting element, which comes to the abutment on the loop 13 atthe end of adjusting said strap against the distal part of the arm.

Moreover, the adjusting buckle 14 can be self-blocking, allowing quicksupport and loosening. In relation to the FIG. 4, the adjusting buckle14 is formed from one single component by presenting an accommodation 19defined between two longitudinal walls, one zipper 20 and one externalpin 21 connecting said walls by transversally defining saidaccommodation.

The loop 17 of the strap 16 is assembled around the external pin 21, thestrap 12 being assembled in the accommodation 19. In particular, theaccommodation 19 is equipped with a central pin 22 around which thestrap 12 is assembling sliding, said strap being bound in two assemblyslots, formed on both sides of said central pin. The accommodation 19 isarranged to allow the sliding of the strap 12 in a support direction bypulling on its free end 12 a and to block the sliding in the oppositedirection when there is none of said pulling.

When the user wants to fix the float, all they need to do is pull thefree end 12 a towards the inside of the strap 12 to bring about itssliding in the direction of the support. The lifting of the zipper 20towards the top, freeing the sliding in the opposite direction to beable to remove the float after use.

The float can present several fixing devices according to the invention,allowing a freedom of movement of the distal part, according to thenumber and the position of said fixing devices. In relation to theembodiments described, the rear support 7 can be equipped with one orseveral fixing devices for the forearm of the user.

According to the FIGS. 1a, 1b and 2a, 2b , the rear support 7 isequipped with two fixing devices which are spaced out longitudinally onsaid support, said devices being arranged to ensure the aligned support,respectively of a proximal area of the forearm and of the wrist on therear support 7.

In particular, the front support 6 has no fixing device, thus beingarranged to serve as a support for the hand and fingers of the userwhich are free, allowing the feeling of sliding to improve on contactwith water.

The support of the wrist and the forearm of the user, in particular,allows the position of the arm to be forced with a lifted elbow and thehand aligned with said forearm during the crawl movement, in order tooptimise and/or correct the swimming technique.

What is claimed is:
 1. A swimming float presenting an upper wall,whereon the distal part of an arm of a user is intended to be fixed, anda lower propelling wing, said float being equipped with at least onefixing device comprising at least one strap, which is arranged to beable to support said distal part on said upper wall, said float beingcharacterised in that the fixing device comprises at least one loop andan adjusting element, each one connected to the upper wall by beingtransversally spaced out on both sides of said upper wall, said strapbeing joined sliding in said loop by presenting a free end which isarranged to be able to be bound in said adjusting element by adjustingthe size between said strap and said upper wall.
 2. The swimming floataccording to claim 1, at least one loop comprising a slot formed throughthe float, the strap presenting a section positioned on the side of theupper wall and a section positioned on the side of the propelling wing.3. The swimming float according to claim 2, the fixing device comprisingtwo slots, wherein a strap is assembled sliding by presenting a centralsection positioned on the side of the propelling wing and two free endspositioned on the side of the upper wall, one of said free ends beingequipped with the adjusting element.
 4. The swimming float according toclaim 1, the fixing device comprising a second strap assembled slidinginto a second loop, the adjusting element being joined to said secondstrap.
 5. The swimming float according to claim 4, the second strapforming a loop, wherein the adjusting element is bound.
 6. The swimmingfloat according to claim 4, the second strap presenting an end whereonthe adjusting element is overmolded.
 7. The swimming float according toclaim 1, at least one strap presenting an end equipped with a stopperwhich is arranged to form an abutment of the sliding of said strap inthe loop.
 8. The swimming float according to claim 7, and the stopper isovermolded on the end of the strap.
 9. The swimming float according toclaim 7, the stopper presenting a shape complementary to that of theloop to be bound into an abutment in said loop.
 10. The swimming floataccording to claim 1, the adjusting element presenting an accommodation(19) equipped with a pin around which the strap (12) is assembledsliding, said accommodation being arranged to allow the sliding of saidstrap in a supporting direction by pulling from its free end (12 a) andto block the sliding in the opposite direction when there is none ofsaid pulling.
 11. The swimming float according to claim 1, the upperwall presenting a front support arranged to hold the hand of the user bysupporting it.
 12. The swimming float according to claim 11, the frontsupport having no fixing device, said front support being arranged toserve as a support to the hand of the user.
 13. The swimming floataccording to claim 1, the upper wall presenting a rear support which isarranged to hold the forearm of the user by supporting it.
 14. Theswimming float according to claim 13, the rear support equipped with afixing device for the forearm of the user.
 15. The swimming floataccording to claim 13, the rear support equipped with two fixing deviceswhich are spaced out longitudinally on said support, a front devicebeing arranged to support the wrist of the user on said rear support.16. The swimming float according to claim 11, the front and rearsupports being connected by a bent section.
 17. The swimming floataccording to claim 1, the propelling wing presenting a rear surface anda front surface, said rear surface presenting a propulsive size which islarger than that of the front surface.